Antennas Configured For Self-Learning Algorithms &amp; Related Methods

ABSTRACT

A Modal antenna system, control system, and algorithm is described which provides for improved connectivity in a communication system where statistics of previous antenna modes or beam positions for a mobile device operating in conjunction with specific base stations, access points, or other communication terminals are used to make intelligent decisions for current antenna beam state for optimal connectivity. A modal antenna is implemented to provide a variable radiation pattern for improved connectivity and an algorithm is provided that controls current beam position as the mobile device moves through a communication network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to wireless communications; and more particularlyto systems and methods for improving connectivity between one or morewireless devices and one or more network terminals within a wirelesscommunications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless technologies are now prevalent in our daily activities, andpresent within a myriad of commercial and consumer level devices.Examples of such wireless technologies include cellular phones,multi-functional wireless devices (smart phones), personal computers,media devices, and internet dongles among others. As demand for theseand other devices continues to grow, there remains a need to improvewireless communications attributes, such as but not limited to: networkbandwidth capacity, connectivity, data transfer (download) speeds, andhealth attributes such as specific absorption rate, among others. Inaccordance these requirements, the field of wireless communications iscontinuously in need of improvements for keeping up with industry growthand consumer demands.

With the recent advent of modal antenna systems as disclosed in commonlyowned U.S. Pat. No. 7,911,402, titled “ANTENNA AND METHOD FOR STEERINGANTENNA BEAM DIRECTION”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/029,564, also titled “ANTENNA AND METHOD FOR STEERING ANTENNA BEAMDIRECTION”, there has been provided such systems adapted for multi-modecommunications, wherein each of several antenna modes provides adistinct antenna radiation pattern for steering antenna beam directionand other radiation characteristics; each of these references is herebyincorporated by reference. Accordingly, a revolution in wirelesstechnologies will be supported by various improvements utilizing modalantenna systems for use within the aforementioned devices and associatedcommunications networks.

Currently available antenna systems and devices associated therewith canbe described within a wireless network as nomadic devices, since thesedevices roam about a network without a fixed pattern of movement. Inpractice, currently available devices can be viewed as traveling about anetwork through a series of incremental waypoints, for example as awireless device user walks or drives from a first location, or waypoint,to a second. In fact, the path of a traveling user can be reduced to aseries of integral waypoints about a wireless network, wherein at eachwaypoint the wireless device is transmitting signal to one or morenetwork base station transceivers (BT's).

Furthermore, many devices are now capable of data acquisition across avariety of networks. For example, certain multi-function devices arecapable of internet browsing and file downloads over both cellularnetworks (base station transceivers), and WLAN networks (access points).

It would therefore be beneficial to provide antenna systems andassociated methods for improving device connectivity about a wirelessnetwork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application discloses systems and methods for improving wirelessdevice connectivity about one or more network terminals within awireless network.

For purposes of this invention, the term “network terminals” includescellular base station transceivers, wireless local area network (WLAN)access points, global positioning system (GPS) transceivers, and othernetwork transceivers adapted to communicate with one or more wirelessdevices within a wireless communications network.

In a general embodiment, a wireless device is provided having at leastone modal antenna, a central processing unit (CPU), and a memory bankfor storing data within one or more lookup tables therein. The modalantenna is adapted to vary one or more antenna radiation patterncharacteristics, such as frequency, beam direction, power level, and thelike, such that the modal antenna is configured to vary one or moreradiation pattern characteristics for operation about several “antennamodes”. In certain antenna mode embodiments, a single antenna radiatorcan be configured with one or more parasitic elements for activelyshifting the antenna radiation pattern for effectuating the variousmodes of the antenna. Antenna pattern data relating to each mode of themodal antenna, otherwise referred to herein as “antenna mode data”, isstored within the memory bank, and the CPU is adapted to process thevarious data for instructing the antenna to operate at a preferred modebased on a given set of data. Examples of antenna mode data include:antenna mode identification data, frequency, power (gain in dB), andspecific absorption rate (SAR), among others.

Modal antenna systems can be configured to scan a network (ping nearbyterminals) at a first geographical location (waypoint) to determine anumber of nearby communications terminals available for possiblelinking. Of the available terminals, the modal antenna system candetermine a preferred terminal for establishing connection based oncriteria such as: link budget, data transfer speeds, proximity(distance), power level including battery considerations as well asconsideration for specific absorption rate (SAR), and others. Theantenna system can be further adapted to connect with the desiredterminal by operating at a desired mode such that an optimum radiationpattern is configured for communicating with the preferred terminal.Furthermore, modal antenna systems can re-scan at various time intervalsor physical waypoints to determine possible improvements in networkconnectivity. Based on availability and a need for establishing aconnection with an alternative network terminal, the modal antennasystem can then reconfigure the antenna mode for effectuating a“hand-off” to the second preferred terminal.

In certain embodiments, the antenna system is configured to acquire andstore antenna mode data and network data for subsequent reference andantenna mode lookup. In this regard, the antenna system can beconfigured to lookup stored information for determining a desiredterminal for establishing a communications link as well as anappropriate antenna mode for connecting with the desired terminal. Thus,in certain embodiments, a scan of nearby terminals and processing ofinformation for determining an optimal terminal for communication can bereplaced with an internal lookup of data tables within the wirelessdevice to determine an optimal terminal for establishing communication.Using the internal lookup, a ping of several terminals and processing oflink quality information can be avoided, thus providing a fasterconnection and reducing unnecessary load on network terminals.

In addition to information of the modal antenna (antenna mode data), thewireless device is adapted to store within the memory bank informationrelating to network data, including one or more of: device location data(longitude/latitude); base station transceiver (BT) location; BTidentification; WLAN access point location and identification data; linkbudget data; and other network information. The aforementioned networkdata can be pre-programmed into the wireless device, downloaded from anetwork server, acquired in the field (self-learned), or any combinationthereof.

In certain embodiments, multiple modal antennas are provided within thewireless device, such as two or more of: a modal Cellular antenna; amodal GPS antenna; a modal WLAN antenna, or other modal antenna.

With the antenna system generally including one or more modal antennas,a CPU, and a memory bank, a method for improving connectivity across oneor more wireless networks includes: providing antenna mode data storedin memory; identifying a preferred base station transceiver forestablishing a connection; accessing database information using the CPUto process information from one or more lookup tables stored within thememory bank; determining an optimal antenna mode for communication withthe preferred base station transceiver; and configuring the modalantenna to operate at the optimal antenna mode.

In certain embodiments, the antenna system is configured to acquireinformation relating to optimal antenna modes for connecting to networkterminals at various waypoints, the terminals including various basestation transceivers, access points, and satellites. In this regard, theantenna system is adapted to acquire in the field (self-learn) and storea record of data associated with each terminal, and an optimal antennamode at each waypoint for communicating with the specified terminal,such that a plurality of records are stored within the device memory forrelating device location and network terminal with an optimal antennamode for optimizing communication therebetween.

Now, the device having stored information relating to various networkcommunications terminals and optimal antenna modes, the device can beadapted to prioritize communications links. For example, a user beingpositioned at a first waypoint and the device capable of determiningvector movement towards a second waypoint, the antenna system can beprogrammed to delay transmission or reception of large files at thefirst waypoint and execute transmission/reception at the secondwaypoint, where the second waypoint provides a preferred data transferterminal, such as a WLAN terminal. In this regard, although data accesscan be provided across cellular BT's, the network can prioritize certaindata requests for high-throughput terminals in an effort to reduce theoverall load on network BT's and improve efficiency of data serviceacross the network.

Certain algorithms for building a database of waypoints, BT's, andrelated network data are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a passive antenna connected to a CPU and configuredto receive an RF or baseband signal during operation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device having an omni-directional antenna movingthrough multiple cells 22 within a wireless network.

FIG. 3 illustrates a general antenna system according to variousembodiments herein, the antenna system is provided for use with awireless communications device such as a cell phone, PDA, tablet PC,laptop, or other wireless device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device having a modal antenna moving throughmultiple cells 42 within a wireless network.

FIG. 5 represents a sample database comprising a number of records, eachrecord including data relating to time, location in terms of longitudeand latitude, base terminal identification number, WLAN access pointidentification number, cellular antenna mode, GPS antenna mode, and WLANantenna mode.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an antenna system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates the position and antenna mode of a device having amodal antenna system as the device travels across multiple cells, picocells, and femto cells, along a path of travel within a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 8 illustrates the position and antenna mode of a device having amodal antenna system as the device travels across multiple cells, picocells, and femto cells, along a path of travel within a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 9 illustrates a device traveling through various cells within awireless network, the device being configured for optimum communicationsacross various terminals.

FIG. 10 illustrates an algorithm for acquisition of data which comprisesa “Self-Learning Mode”.

FIG. 11 illustrates an algorithm for acquisition of data which comprisesa “Forced-Learning Mode”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed in other embodiments that depart from these details anddescriptions.

In one embodiment, an antenna system within a wireless device comprisesone or more modal antennas; a CPU, and a memory bank. The modal antennascan include any of: a cellular modal antenna, a GPS modal antenna, aWLAN modal antenna, or a combination thereof. The memory bank caninclude a memory module or other memory bank component programmed tostore a database comprising a number of records. Each record of thedatabase comprises data relating to one or more of: antenna modeidentification, antenna radiation pattern data (frequency, power gain(dB), SAR, and the like), and other antenna data collectively referredto herein as “antenna mode data”, and time, base station transceiverlocation (longitude/latitude), terminal identification data, WLAN accesspoint identification and location data, and other wireless network datacollectively referred to herein as “network data”. The antenna system isfurther programmed with an algorithm for acquisition of certain antennamode data and network data. Additionally, network data may be furtheracquired from a file download over the network.

Now turning to the figures, modern wireless devices generally comprisean antenna system with a passive antenna. The passive antenna generallyprovides a single radiation pattern or omni-directional radiationpattern. One limitation with devices comprising a passive antennaincludes the inability to scroll through various modes for optimizingconnectivity of the device with the network at each terminal. Incontrast, the embodiments disclosed herein each provide a uniquemechanism for optimizing connectivity over a wireless network.

According to FIG. 1, a passive antenna can be connected to a CPU andconfigured to receive an RF or baseband signal during operation. The CPUis programmed to feed the antenna signal in accordance with variousapplications of the antenna.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device having an omni-directional antenna movingthrough multiple cells 22 within a wireless network. Theomni-directional antenna pattern 24 is represented at several waypoints23 along the path of travel 25. At each waypoint, the omni-directionalantenna is in communication with several base station transceivers(BT's) 21. Although this system is operational, there is a significantamount of power lost, and the load on the network is high.

FIG. 3 illustrates a general antenna system according to variousembodiments herein, the antenna system is provided for use with awireless communications device such as a cell phone, PDA, tablet PC,laptop, or other wireless device. The antenna system comprises at leastone modal antenna, a CPU, and a memory bank. The at least one antennacan include one or more of: a cellular modal antenna, a GPS modalantenna, a WLAN modal antenna, or a combination thereof. The dashedlines in FIG. 3 represent optional components. The CPU sends a basebandsignal to the modal antenna for effectuating a preferred operationalmode of several antenna modes. Similarly, a radiofrequency (RF) signalis provided to the antenna/CPU during transmission and reception,respectively. The memory bank stores information relating to severalantenna modes among other data. The CPU can further send RF signal tothe transceiver, or alternatively the RF can be sent directly to thetransceiver from the receiving antenna.

The memory can comprise database records relating several profiles forthe purpose of selecting an optimal antenna mode for operation. The CPUis adapted to access the memory, lookup several database records andcompare to network data for determining an optimal antenna mode prior tosending instructions to the antenna for configuring the modal antenna tooperate according to the preferred antenna mode.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device having a modal antenna moving throughmultiple cells 42 within a wireless network. The modal antenna pattern44 is adapted to provide sufficient gain in the direction of a desiredBT 41 for maintaining a communications signal, however power radiatingaway from the desired terminal can be minimized for optimizingefficiency of the antenna system. In addition, a reduced load onadjacent BT's reduces the overall network load. Thus by utilizing amodal antenna, the antenna system and network efficiency are greatlyenhanced. As the mobile device travels along a path 45, the antennasystem can determine an optimal terminal for communications at eachwaypoint 43, wherein the antenna system further configures the antennamode for establishing communication with the desired terminal. Once theconnected terminal is no longer optimum for communications, a hand-offis effectuated according to methods known in the art. Several keybenefits of the network and antenna system as described in FIG. 4include: reduced power loss about the device antenna, reduced load onthe network due to the antenna system of the device, reduced SARemissions, and improved connectivity with reduced noise.

In addition to these benefits, the antenna system is further configuredto store data relating to the antenna system, and the network. Based onpreviously traveled routes, the antenna system can learn and storeinformation relating to accessed BT's. In this regard, upon returning toa known waypoint, the system can configure the optimal antenna modebased on previously acquired data, or records. Here, the antenna systemreferences position and vector information to determine nearby terminalsavailable for communications as well as upcoming terminals according tovector anticipation. The records can be downloaded from the network, orlearned by the device according to an algorithm programmed within theCPU. With modern CPU's, the lookup operations can be performedrepeatedly and require only a fraction of a second to identify andeffectuate an antenna mode change.

FIG. 5 represents a sample database comprising a number of records, eachrecord including data relating to time, location in terms of longitudeand latitude, base terminal identification number, WLAN access pointidentification number, cellular antenna mode, GPS antenna mode, and WLANantenna mode. Thus, based on a given latitude/longitude (waypoint), alocal BT suitable for communications can be determined and theappropriate antenna mode for communicating with that BT is referenced.As the device approaches the known long/lat, the antenna system can beconfigured within the desired antenna mode for establishing a connectionwith the indicated BT. Thus, a survey of all local BT's and acalculation to determine the ideal BT is not required since theinformation is stored in the database record.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an antenna system, the antennasystem comprising a modal antenna, a CPU adapted to configure an optimalantenna mode with the modal antenna according to a baseband signal, theCPU further adapted to send RF signals to the antenna for communicatingwith the network, and a memory bank connected to an applications CPU fordetermining modal operation of the antenna about the wireless network.

In practice, certain urban areas can become congested with data trafficabout one or more cells within the network, often due to concentrationsof high population, and hence a large number of devices being connectedto the network. Under certain circumstances, a modal antenna is adaptedto navigate communications toward one or more BT's having an optimalbudget link.

FIG. 7 illustrates the position and antenna mode of a device having amodal antenna system as the device travels across multiple cells 72,pico cells 76, and femto cells 77, along a path of travel 75 within awireless network. The device is represented along several waypoints 73,wherein at each waypoint the antenna system is configured with adistinct radiation pattern 74 according to a desired mode. The radiationpattern can be configured for optimal gain/power settings, acceptablelevel of specific absorption rate (SAR), communication with a specificBT for high-throughput data transfer, or other purpose or combinationthereof.

As depicted in FIG. 8, the antenna system can include a WLAN modalantenna in addition to a cellular modal antenna, thus a first antennaradiation pattern 84 is represented by a solid lobe and a second antennaradiation pattern 89 is represented by a dashed lobe. The firstradiation pattern 84 is radiated by the cellular modal antenna, and thesecond radiation pattern 89 is radiated by the WLAN modal antenna. InFIG. 8, the device having multiple modal antennas is depicted at severalwaypoints 83, wherein an optimal antenna is selected and configuredaccording to an antenna mode for enhancing communications. As the devicenears a WLAN access point 88, the WLAN modal antenna configures anappropriate WLAN antenna mode 89 and data is transmitted with the WLANaccess point 88. In this regard, a user may receive email or otherdownloads via the WLAN. Additionally, the system can determine anupcoming WLAN terminal based on database information and vectorpredictions, such that the device can predict an upcoming terminal andconfigure the system for optimized data transfer using a combination ofcellular networks, WLAN access points, and other terminals.

FIG. 9 further illustrates a device traveling through various cellswithin a wireless network, the device being configured for optimumcommunications across various terminals. The network includes a numberof cells 92, pico cells 96, and femto cells 97 in accordance withpopulation density and resource requirements. The device travels aboutseveral waypoints 93, wherein an optimal cellular antenna radiationpattern 94 is represented by a shaded lobe, and an optimal WLAN antennaradiation pattern 99 is represented by a dashed lobe. As the devicenears various BT's 91, WLAN access points 98, or other terminals, one ormore of the device and/or network is adapted to configure theappropriate antenna mode for communicating with the desired terminal.

Information relating to antenna modes, or network terminal data, can bestored within the device, on a network server, or a combination thereof.In certain embodiments, the network terminals and related communicationsdata can be learned by the device during operation.

In one embodiment, the algorithm for acquisition of data comprises a“Self-Learning Mode”, wherein a wireless device having an antenna systemaccording to the various embodiments herein is programmed to execute amethod as illustrated in FIG. 10, the method comprising: initializing aroute; accessing a database and creating a new record; identifying abase terminal; accessing the database and updating the record with oneor more of: base station transceiver (BT) data, antenna mode, timestamp,or location data; surveying the database; matching signal profiles ofprevious records with the present record; predicting an antenna mode foroperation; and switching to the preferred antenna mode. Theself-learning mode application, without input from the user, sensesexternal signals from cellular, WLAN, GPS, and other communicationprotocols available and stores profiles in memory for use in predictingantenna mode for communication.

In another embodiment, the algorithm for acquisition of data comprises a“Forced-Learning Mode”, wherein a wireless device having an antennasystem according to the various embodiments herein is programmed toexecute a method as illustrated in FIG. 11, the method comprising:initializing a new record per user instructions; accessing the databaseand storing input settings; identifying a base terminal or access point;accessing the database and updating the new record with one or more of:BT data, antenna mode, timestamp, and location data; surveying thedatabase; matching signal profiles of previous records with the presentrecord; predicting an antenna mode for operation; switching to thepreferred antenna mode; setting an end waypoint; and ending the session.The forced-learning mode application takes direction from the user toset up, store, and access signal profiles in memory for use in selectingoptimal antenna mode for communication.

In certain embodiments, one or more modal antennas of the device can beused to acquire information from one or more terminals on network, suchas terminal identification, terminal location data, and the like. Withthe acquired network information, the antenna system can look up thedatabase records within the device memory bank and compare the recordsto the acquired information to determine an approximate location of thedevice. Based on a return of known network terminals, the device canestimate an approximate location. Additionally, after multiple queriesthe device can obtain information relating to upcoming terminals and canestimate vector direction in addition to estimated location. Withlocation and vector direction known, the device can estimate upcomingterminals, and can prioritize data transfer accordingly.

In certain other embodiments, an amount of network data is stored on anetwork server and accessed by a wireless device connected to thenetwork. In this regard, the network can be configured to manage linkbudget and other network attributes by serving each device connectedthereon information related to preferred terminals for connection. Onceinstructed to connect to a preferred terminal, the device can utilizethe memory bank to lookup and configure an antenna mode.

The device can further store information in the memory bank related todata transfer speeds at various terminals. With historical data relatingto transfer speeds, the device can be programmed to connect to a networkterminal having the highest score or historical rating relating to datatransfer speeds. In this regard, the device may be programmed to predictthe optimal communications terminal for establishing a connection basedon historical data stored within the memory bank.

In addition to the modal antennas, the antenna system within the devicemay further comprise one or more passive cellular antennas, passive WLANantennas, and passive GPS antennas, or any combination thereof.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for controlling a modal antenna, the modalantenna operable in a plurality of antenna modes, each mode associatedwith a different radiation pattern characteristic, the methodcomprising: identifying a first terminal at a first waypoint; accessinga record associated with the first waypoint in memory; determining afirst antenna mode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicatingwith the first terminal at the first waypoint based on the recordassociated with the first waypoint; identifying a second terminal at asecond waypoint; accessing a record associated with the second waypointin memory; determining a second antenna mode of the plurality of antennamodes for communicating with the second terminal at the second waypointbased on the record associated with the second waypoint; wherein therecord associated with the first waypoint and the record associated withthe second waypoint are generated in a learning mode.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the learning mode is a self-learning mode.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the self-learning mode comprises identifyingthe first terminal at a first waypoint; determining the first antennamode of the plurality of antenna modes for communicating with the firstnetwork terminal at the first waypoint; storing the first antenna modeas at least part of the record associated with the first waypoint in oneor more memory devices; identifying the second network terminal at thesecond waypoint; determining the second antenna mode of the plurality ofantenna modes for communicating with the second network terminal at thesecond waypoint; storing the second antenna mode as at least a part ofthe record associated with the second waypoint in one or more memorydevices.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the learning mode is aforced learning mode.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the recordassociated with the first terminal comprises antenna mode dataassociated with the first mode.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theantenna mode data comprises one or more of antenna mode identificationdata, frequency, power, and specific absorption rate.
 19. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the record associated with the second terminalcomprises antenna mode data associated with the second mode.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the antenna mode data comprises one or moreof antenna mode identification data, frequency, power, and specificabsorption rate.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein the recordassociated with the first terminal comprises network data.
 22. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the record associated with the secondterminal comprises network data.
 23. The method of claim 13, wherein themodal antenna is a cellular antenna.
 24. The method of claim 13, whereinthe modal antenna is a GPS antenna.
 25. The method of claim 13, whereinthe modal antenna is a WLAN antenna.
 26. The method of claim 13, whereinthe modal antenna comprises a radiating element and one or moreparasitic elements.